Our final concert of the 2013-2014 season uses folk songs and global music traditions to explore how cultural pride and a sense of belonging can be expressed through music. There’s longing, nostalgia and quite a few love songs. Works include the joik “Eatnemen Vuelie,” made famous by the movie Frozen, the salsa rhythms of Cuban favorite “Lágrimas Negras,” the Jewish folk song “El Yivneh Hagalil,” and a contemporary interpretation of the American shape-note tune “Long Time Travelin.”

Please note that this concert starts later than usual, at 5:00 p.m. Donations accepted.

ANNUAL CHESTNUTS DINNER
Join us after the concert to celebrate the end of the season with a dinner of summer favorites. We’ll be feasting on a personalized menu of local produce and handcrafted barbecue, accompanied with a few special musical selections that weren’t part of the evening’s concert program. We can think of no better way to toast the successes of this year’s season and celebrate the friends and supporters who have made such work possible. All proceeds support the work of the Chestnut Street Singers and help us to keep presenting accessible, innovative concerts. Make your reservation today!

Our next concert takes on themes of conflict and trauma with an eye toward peace and healing. From the dramatic French Renaissance song “La Guerre” to the lament-filled Shaker hymn “We will walk with mother and mourn,” from Benjamin Britten’s World War II manifesto “Advance Democracy” to contemporary Haitian composer Sydney Guillaume’s “Twa Tanbou,” each selection attempts to make sense of our chaotic world.

We’ll be performing at First Unitarian Church at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow the performance.

Looking for some extra warmth this fall? Join us on Sunday, November 17 for a soothing lullaby by Brahms, a joyous shout by Nystedt, a contemplative hymn by Christiansen — a whole program full of songs about comfort and grace.

We’ll be performing at our home base of First Unitarian Church at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow the performance.

In His Care, An Ars Sacra Concert
Saturday, October 26 at 8 PM
Old St. Joseph’s Church, 321 Willings Alley, Philadelphia

Join us this Saturday to hear six centuries of sacred choral music. From Renaissance Tallis to contemporary Betinis, the drama of Rachmaninoff to the Latin rhythms of Duménigo, the program explores mystery, majesty, and comfort.

We’ll be performing in the beautiful sanctuary of Old St. Joseph’s Church at 8:00 PM. Willings Alley is tucked away between Walnut and Locust Streets (running parallel to them), between 3rd and 4th Streets in the heart of Old City.

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"Listening to the Chestnut Street Singers' beautifully blended voices and tight formations in dynamic ebbs and flows in the music was a joy. Based on themes for past and future concerts, it appears that the excellent programming in this concert is not a fluke."
—Sharon Torello, Local Arts Live

"Good a cappella choral music requires strong voices, good harmony, close coordination, and astute selections. The Chestnut Street Singers scored in all four categories."
—Tom Purdom, Broad Street Review